Sugar in Our Wounds

by Donja R. Love

On a plantation during the Civil War, a mystical tree stretches toward heaven. It protects James, a young slave, while he reads newspapers about the imminent possibility of freedom, as the battle rages on. When a brooding stranger arrives, James and his makeshift family take the man in. Soon, an unexpected bond leads to a striking romance, and everyone is in uncharted territory. But is love powerful enough to set your true self free?

Genres: Plays

83 pages, Paperback

Published March 7, 2019

Reviews

[Doug · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5, rounded up.

This is another play that was slated for a local SF production (that I was intending to see), but that got cancelled due to the pandemic. It has some nice moments, but in other parts it just seemed to be striving too hard for mythic significance that it doesn't quite achieve. And the 'Stephin' Fetchit' accented dialogue doesn't help any. Worse, whenever the sole white person appears (the stereotypical lustful plantation daughter), I felt I was reading 'Mandingo, the Play'. I think you can see the problem in these excerpts from the original NY production:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TzTI3...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-FYeK...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vj-tw...

[Paz Ortiz Santa Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Ma heart and yours got the same song, so Imma find ya."

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first part of a trilogy Love is writing on queer love in key moments in black history. This one takes place during the Civil War between two enslaved black men, the second, Fireflies, is about the Civil Rights Movement, and the third will be set currently, during the BLM movement. My class loved this play, and Love's use of magic realism was so beautiful in it (a talking tree is the 6th character). I'm so looking forward to reading more of Love's work.

[Sena · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this back in May, while getting dramaturgy guidance from the brodie Tia. Definitely interested in how the trilogy will weave together queer lives, will character’s refract in interesting ways? The motif of the tree and Aunt Mama/Henry’s discussion of blue/the wind linger for me. Might read finish the trilogy out alongside Maryse Condé’s Segu and Erna Brodber’s Myal even.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a play that breathes with a life of its own. Sweet and bitter in equal measure.

[Cori · Rating 4 out of 5]

(Play discussion group script #43)

[Lyndsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Devastating and beautiful! The magical realism excellently delivered. I hope to see this in performance one day soon! Eager for the rest of the trilogy!

[natella · Rating 5 out of 5]

another BANGER